The 2024 election season has been one of the most contentious in American history. Children, teens, and their families may be looking to their pastors and congregations for guidance on what to know and how to respond to the results of the election. Even more importantly, they need insights about how their faith can shape their actions at home, school, and in church, especially given the divisiveness they may be seeing in their communities.
At the same time, churches are increasingly becoming flash points of political clashes among members or between members and clergy. Understandably, then, some pastors may be hesitant to address the election aftermath at all. However, saying nothing about the current events surrounding the election communicates that the Bible and our faith have nothing to say about the things that matter to us, to our families, and to society.
Thus, if we don’t want to inadvertently communicate through our silence that the church does not care about social issues, we need to find ways to say something about this election because it will have a huge impact on their congregations and communities.
So how can ministry leaders talk with children, teens, and families about the election results in a way that conveys a non-anxious presence as well as a strong faith in an uncertain time?
In this post, I suggest four messages that clergy and other congregational leaders can communicate to children, youth, and their loved ones in the post-election season. Then I offer some general thoughts about how we can minister to these young people and their families during this time.
Message 1: Every person matters to God. So be a good neighbor.
Some people are angry, worried, and even despondent about the results of the election. Others are celebrating. It’s important that we listen deeply to the fears—and hopes—of those who are reacting to this election because the Bible tells us in Genesis 1:26-27 that every person is created in God's image. This means that each individual has inherent dignity and value.
This also means that we must treat each person with respect. You might hear people at school teasing or bullying others because of what has happened with this election. If you feel safe, stand alongside the person being picked on and let them know that they are not alone. If you don’t feel safe, ask a teacher or another adult in the school to come and help.
As Mister Rogers used to say, “Look for the helpers.” And if you can be a helper yourself, you are caring for your neighbor, just as Jesus taught us.
Message 2: God wants us and others to be safe.
Right now, many people in our country disagree with each other about what should be happening in our country. Because our nation is deeply divided, intimidation and threats of violence are ongoing. This could escalate at any time, and it can be frightening.
But God wants everyone to be safe after the election—and at all times. God wants people to tell the truth, solve their differences peacefully, and protect those who are vulnerable. In Mark 12:31, Jesus says we need to love our neighbors. As a church, this is what we want too! So, when we do things like welcome people who are different than us and encourage people not to use violence when they are angry, we are doing our part to help keep people safe.
Message 3: Our words matter to God.
You might have heard people say mean and hurtful things about others during the election season. Perhaps you saw videos of people making fun, calling names, or saying they would hurt others. And you may have heard people saying lies or repeating rumors that just weren’t true.
One of God’s commandments in Exodus 20:16 tells us that using our words in dishonest and hurtful ways is not what God wants. Proverbs 18:21 tell us that what people say has the power of life and death. James 3:5-6 says that even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it’s like a tiny spark that can set a whole forest on fire. And in Ephesians 4:29, Paul says that we should only say things that are helpful and build other people up, especially those in need.
So, we want to use our words well, both in church and in the world. We represent Christ in the world, so our words and actions should reflect what Jesus expects of us.
Message 4: Even though the election season brought out the worst in some people, it also brought out the best in others.
People have come together in positive ways to encourage each other while voting. Pastors and congregations supported the democratic process in many ways, such as having get-out-the-vote drives at their churches, providing space in their buildings for people to vote, handing out water and snacks for people waiting in long lines to vote, and helping to provide a calming presence through poll chaplains.
These are examples of what Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-23, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, like kindness and faithfulness. It also shows that people of faith are being courageous in standing up for their beliefs, as Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
You can be part of God’s kindness as well! You can do this by being a friend to someone who is lonely, scared, picked on, or an outsider. When we are compassionate with others, it shows people what kind of God we worship and that we are a person they can trust.
Now that we’ve covered these broad messages, here are three additional things to keep in mind when talking to your children, youth, and families in this post-election season.
Be cautious about insisting that people need to “come together” when safety is at risk. Keep in mind that there are people living with the effects of political rhetoric that has authorized transphobia, misogyny, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, fear of immigrants, violence, racism and white privilege. And the incoming administration has made plans to put policies in place that reflect these beliefs. So, a pastor urging folks to “come together” with those who have supported those positions would be insensitive at best, irresponsible at worst.
Instead, offer space for people to share their feelings about the election as part of a holy conversation. Think about the people who have expressed fear or distress, regardless of their political position. Reach out and check in with people. But avoid urging them to engage with those who they feel may be threatening or harmful to them.
The liturgy is God’s holding space for us. The church has the advantage of rituals—ancient actions and words—that are designed to hold the vast range of feelings experienced by the congregation. Remind the children, youth, and families in your church that they can rely on the familiarity of worship as God’s holding space for us. Gathering, hearing God’s word, breaking bread and sharing the cup, singing hymns, and offering prayers can help create the “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Let the liturgy minister to you and your congregation. Let it gather in all who will come. Offer prayers for healing. Set up a table with candles for people to light as symbols of their concerns or hopes. Reassure the congregation that the Spirit of God through the compassion of Jesus Christ is in our midst.
The work of the church is ongoing, no matter the outcome of the election. God is still at work in the world despite of—and even in the midst of—our political divides. Those who are poor, in need, hurting, angry, sad, or ignored will still need the attention of the church no matter who has won the election. As we see from Jesus’s ministry, he continued his work of preaching, teaching, feeding, and healing, no matter who was in power. This is the church’s calling as well. Because elections come and go, but the work of God’s church remains.
Portions of this article are adapted from the author’s previous work, “4 Faithful Post-Election Messages for Clergy & Congregations,” on Patheos.com. Used with permission.
This post also appears on the website of the online journal of the ELCA's Network for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry.